The Western Mass Recovery Learning Community (RLC) creates conditions that support healing and growth for individuals and the community as a whole through learning opportunities, advocacy, peer-to-peer support and the development of regional and national networks. Offerings include four resource centers, a number of support groups (Hearing Voices, Alternatives to Suicide, etc.), access to alternative healing practices (yoga, acupuncture, etc.), and a variety of trainings, workshops, and consultation for providers, people in peer roles, individuals seeking support and the broader community.

Afiya (a part of the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community) is the first peer respite in Massachusetts (and one of only about 18 in the country). Based in Northampton, Afiya offers a homelike environment where people can stay for up to seven days as an alternative to hospitalization.

Centered around peer-to-peer support, the focus is on providing a safe space in which each person can find the balance and support needed to turn what is so often referred to as a ‘crisis’ into a learning and growth opportunity.

The Support Network supports parents or caregivers who have children, adolescents, and transition age youth effectively navigate through the various systems of care and become strong and successful advocates for their children. The Network’s goal is to support the unique strengths, insights and skills of families so they may best achieve their individual goals. We do this by offering individual or group support, information on special education and other resources, opportunity to attend trainings and conferences or to participate in child serving agency advisory forums, and also access to an extensive lending library.

The RECOVER Project is a safe, welcoming community that supports recovery from drug and alcohol addiction by sharing the wisdom of our lived experience and strengthens our community through full participation. We create resource connections and advocate to overcome barriers while promoting the reality that recovery is possible for all. RP members both give and receive support through a variety of educational, volunteer, and social activities that help people overcome emotional and social isolation, develop skills and strengths, build leadership capacity, and prevent relapse.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap provides Career Exploration for young adults who have experienced difficult life struggles to explore career possibilities that link personal aspirations to real world job experiences. The career readiness training provides for young people to participate in field trips to local colleges as well as workplaces in order to enhance the young people’s learning.

We believe by providing a safe and supportive environment with caring adults youth are able to increase their confidence and esteem to pursue their dreams and reach their goals.

Self-advocacy is a movement that promotes people with disabilities speaking for themselves and their peers. Members of the Western Massachusetts community created a regional network of self-advocacy groups which participate in the statewide self-advocacy board (Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong). Self-Advocacy groups provide a forum for self-advocates and allies to collectively achieve goals and work towards independence.

Self-advocacy teaches group members how to find their voice and use it responsibly.